More drug defendants plead guilty

by Amaris Elliott-Engel / The Citizen

Thursday, March 8, 2007 9:14 AM EST

The last of 17 codefendants charged in a northern Cayuga County drug bust last summer have pleaded guilty or been sentenced - except the man authorities named as the leader of a powder cocaine drug ring and his son.
The duo are still wanted after they failed to appear for their Oswego County Court appearances in November. Bench warrants are still outstanding for Jack VanDeviver, 50, with a last known address of 828 Ridge Road, Ontario, and his son, Michael.

Meanwhile, George Finney, of 68 Abbott Ave., Elmsford, pleaded guilty Monday to the felony of fourth-degree conspiracy and was sentenced to two to four years in state prison, according to I.S. Bardot, an assistant deputy attorney general for that office's Organized Crime Task Force. Finney's plea was a reduction from the indicted charge of second-degree conspiracy. “He was the middle man,” Bardot said, for Jack VanDeviver to obtain powder cocaine.

Robert LaClair, with a last known address of Marsh Road, Sterling, pleaded guilty to the felony of fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance Feb. 26. He is scheduled to be sentenced April 23. LaClair was extradited from Arizona to face the charges.

John Welch, of 13147 Craine Road, Sterling, pleaded guilty to the felony of fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance Jan. 3 and was sentenced to probation and a $3,000 fine. Welch was extradited from Florida to answer the charges.

Search warrants were executed March 14 at VanDeviver's properties on Lake Street in Fair Haven, Finches Corners Road in Sterling and on Route 104 in Oswego County. More than three pounds of cocaine, at least $5,000 in cash, five handguns and 12 rifles were seized. On July 19, most of the people charged with participation in the ring were arrested in an early morning drug bust.

Staff writer Amaris Elliott-Engel can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or at amaris.elliot-engel@lee.net

The Citizens' Say

There are 5 comment(s)

TO AJ FROM FH RESIDENT wrote on Mar 9, 2007 9:43 AM:

" WHAT??? You make no sense. Are you asking if I have children? The answer would be no. And I will not "get over it" when it is happening in my neighborhood. That's a losers attitude. I will not sit back and let drug activities go on. Totally agree with "I agree". We must be vigilant and observe our communities and neighborhoods. Keep track of what you see and report it to the police. AJ- I am realistic I know that drug use will never totally end, but I am an also optomistic and I will be determined to help end most of it in my neighborhood. "

AJ wrote on Mar 9, 2007 5:34 AM:

" Not very good as a parent are you, fh resident? Can't control your own kids? You are not EVER going to stop drug use. Get over it. "

I agree wrote on Mar 8, 2007 8:13 PM:

" the penalties these drug suppliers have been given are not harsh or long enough. The courts should make some serious changes for increased sentencing structures and fines. Unfortunately, these creeps are everywhere and Auburn and the county has many others still working our streets. They are there but aren't going unnoticed. Hopefully all residents report suspicious activity whenever they see things. Funny how you can spot them in a heartbeat whether on foot, or parking in a business lot somewhere. If your gut reaction senses something strange...take 2 seconds to take a license plate and phone it in. It all helps. "

jwb wrote on Mar 8, 2007 12:38 PM:

" brilliant watson - "

fh resident wrote on Mar 8, 2007 9:45 AM:

" I personally feel that most of these people got off easy. I don't think probation and fines are enough. If we want to stop the drug movement we need to impose harsher punishments. I know for a fact that some of these people arrested have lengthy criminal histories, mainly because I have been reading the local newspapers for years. It's sad...very sad because I bet some of them are doing the same thing again in no time. In fact, some of those who were arrested this time had been arrested previously for drug related issues. One more point I would like to add...Shame on those of you who have children and subjected them to that kind of environment. As we can see from the fact that VanDeviver and his son are on the run...Children are products of their environment and if they are being exposed to drug activities as kids what do you think they will do as adults. "

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